Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT):Smokers are addicted to nicotine, a mood-altering chemical that stimulates the brain to produce more endorphins, or “feel-good” hormones. When you quit, your body and brain crave it.

Nicotine replacement products contain the chemical, helping relieve cravings and decreasing likelihood of a relapse. They usually have half the nicotine of a single cigarette, but deliver it more gradually than smoking.

Some smokers worry that nicotine replacement therapy is as harmful as cigarettes, but that’s not true, experts say.

“There are 4,000 chemicals in cigarettes,” Piper says. “You’re using only one to get off the 3,999 others.”

You’re also not inhaling toxic substances such as carbon monoxide and tar.

The FDA has approved five types of over-the-counter nicotine replacement products: The patch (which delivers nicotine through the skin), gum and lozenges. Nasal sprays and inhalers are prescription only.

The most effective method is a combination of the nicotine patch and lozenge, Piper says.

Closely follow package directions. Because many people don’t use nicotine replacement products correctly, they don’t get the full benefit, she warns. For example, they might not chew the nicotine gum long enough to get a full dose of the chemical.

Both pills ease nicotine cravings, but they can have serious mental-health side effects, such as suicidal thoughts, depression, changes in behavior and hostility. Discuss the potential risks with your doctor.

Counseling:Nicotine replacement therapy and prescription drugs alone can help you quit, but combining medicine with counseling doubles your chance of success.

“Every smoker should have coaching and take medicine to maximize her quit attempt, even if she’s tried to quit before,” Piper says. The exception is when a woman is pregnant, because smoking cessation drugs pose a risk to the fetus, she adds.

You can also speak with a counselor trained in smoking cessation programs at the American Lung Association’s Lung Helpline, which requires a paid membership of $15 to $40.

Your odds improve if you turn to face-to-face and online support groups, which allow you to share experiences with others trying to quit.

The Freedom from Smoking Online program, run by the American Lung Association, provides an online community for smokers. For in-person support, Nicotine Anonymous holds meetings throughout the country. You can also ask your doctor if they know about support groups in your area.